SEWANEE, Tenn. - The University of the South men's basketball team finishes the 2022-23 season 10 wins better than last season with an 81-72 victory over Centre College in the regular season finale, Wednesday night in a Southern Athletic Association (SAA) contest from Juhan Gymnasium.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: Sewanee (16-9, 9-5) 81, Centre (5-19, 2-12) 72
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HOW IT HAPPENED
-Leading 14-12 with 13:40 left in the opening half, Sewanee scored 10 straight points in a matter of two and a half minutes to swell the lead to a 24-12 advantage.
-Centre did claw back to cut the deficit back to four, 38-34, at the break.
-The Colonels matched stride-for-stride with the Tigers. Sewanee knocked down 15 field goals in the final 20 minutes to Centre's 14, but the Purple and White's defense held the visitors to 2-of-11 from downtown.
NOTES AND NUGGETS
-For the first time since the 2016 season, Sewanee swept Centre in both games during the regular season. The Tigers knocked off the Colonels, 72-66, in Danville, Ky. back in December.
-Since the two teams became charter members in the SAA in 2012-13, the Tigers and Colonels are even, nine up, nine down, in regular season games.
-The Purple and White's other two wins versus Centre came in the SAA Tournament. Sewanee knocked off Center in the semis in 2016 and in the Championship Game from Danville, Ky. in 2019.
TOURNAMENT FIELD IN SAA LOCKED IN
-For the second time in as many years, the Tigers will be facing the Stormy Petrels of Oglethorpe University to start the SAA Tournament on Feb. 19.
-Taking place at 2 p.m. inside Juhan Gymnasium, Sewanee, after winning just six games last year and playing as the No. 7 seed in the tournament, will start the 2023 SAA Men's Basketball Tournament as the No. 3 seed.
-Other quarterfinal games include:
- No. 1 Berry vs. No. 8 Centre
- No. 2 Rhodes vs. No. 7 Millsaps
- No. 4 Birmingham-Southern vs. No. 5 Hendrix
-All games will take place on Sunday at the highest seed. Semifinals and championship games will take place on Feb. 25 and 26, respectively, at the highest remaining seed.
SEWANEE KEY STATISTICS
-Securing his fourth 30-point game of the year,
Russ Marr led all scorers with 31 points on 10-of-20 shooting and 7-of-13 from downtown. The sophomore added four rebounds and three assists and steals each.
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Colin Kahl also had a big night with 28 points on 10-of-11 shooting, eight rebounds and a career-high five blocks.
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Graham Smith also scored 10 points, while
Eli Holland added six rebounds and three dimes.
CENTRE KEY STATISTICS
-Cade Stinnett led the Colonels with a double-double, 22 points and 11 boards.
UP NEXT
The SAA Tournament starts on Sunday, with the University of the South playing at home versus Oglethorpe University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside Juhan Gymnasium.
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